Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Barratry
1.
(Law)
The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels.
[Also spelt
barretry
.] Coke. Blackstone.
2.
(Mar. Law)
A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent. It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo.
Kent.
Park.
3.
(Scots Law)
The crime of a judge who is influenced by bribery in pronouncing judgment.
Wharton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Barratry
BAR'RATRY
,Noun.
2.
In commerce, any species of cheating or fraud, in a shipmaster, by which the owners or insurers are injured; as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, by wilful deviation, or by embezzling the cargo.